Sweden upset South Africa in World Cup opener

A Sweden won the South Africa by 2 to 1, this Sunday, 23, at the Wellington Regional stadium, in New Zealand, for the opening of the first round of Group G of the Women’s World Cup. Hildah Magaia opened the scoring for the South Africans; Fridolina Rolfo It is Amanda Ilestedt ensured the triumph of the Swedes.

With the result, the Swedish team has three important points in the group that still has Italy It is Argentinawho face each other this Monday, 24. It was the first clash in this edition of the Women’s Cup in which the two countries scored in the same match.

The teams return to the field for the second round of Group G later this week. On the 27th, at 9 pm (Brasília time), South Africa will face Argentina. On Saturday, the 29th, at 4:30 am, Sweden will face Italy.

The game

Sweden posed no danger to South Africa despite their dominance in the first half. In the most dangerous move, in the 43rd minute, Andersson took a corner kick to the small area and raised it for Ilestedt to test close to the crossbar. At 46 minutes, Rubensson sent a bomb from the entrance to the area, near the left post of the Swart goalkeeper.

The African team needed three minutes to open the scoring of the match. In the move, Kgatlana kept the ball in the Swedish defense’s vacillation and finished from the left, demanding a defense from Musovic. On the rebound, Hildah Magaia arrived with her whole body to complete for the nets: 1 to 0.

At 20 minutes, Fridolina Rolfo left everything the same for the Swedes. Rytting Kaneryd crossed to the back post and saw the ball elude South Africa’s Ramalepe. Glued to the mark, Rolfo completed with his knee to tie: 1 to 1.

At 45 minutes of the second half, Amanda Ilestedt went higher than everyone else after a corner and tested just right to come back for the Swedes: 2-1.